He became a student of Christ Church, Oxford in 1647; submitted to the authority of the visitors appointed by the parliament; took the degree of B.A.
In 1654 he was made rector of Great or Broad Rissington in Gloucestershire, and in 1657 received the living of Middleton-Keynes, near Newport Pagnell, Bucks.
At the Restoration Atterbury took care to have his titles to these benefices confirmed by taking a presentation under the great seal.
On 25 July 1660, he became chaplain to Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who died at the end of the year; and on 1 December 1660 he took the degree of D.D.
On 7 December 1698, as he was returning home after one of his visits to London, he was drowned near Middleton-Keynes, and there buried.